The Jazz Voyager
Taking to the friendly skies to once again masked and safely flying into Lambert International to catch some jazz in The Lou. Looking forward to catching up with a friend, meet new ones and enjoying an incredible evening of music at Jazz St. Louis. Three amazing musicians, Tia Fuller, Mimi Jones and Matt Wilson top off their residency of workshops, clinics, masterclasses and jam sessions with students to give the public a taste of their talent. Two nights, two sets each evening at 7:30 and 9:30 pm
Of course while I’m in this city I’ll take in the Gateway Arch, sit by the mighty Mississippi River, visit the Griot Museum, walk through the Botanical Gardens, and spend an afternoon at the George B. Vashon Museum that was built in 1879 on the city’s historic Millionaire’s Row. This museum hosts 250 years of 10,000 artifacts and treasures chronicling Black history in St. Louis.
There is no mention of a cover or reservations required. I guess I’ll be dropping in a little before showtime. The address for Jazz St. Louis is 3536 Washington Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63103. For more information, the number is 314-571-6000 or jazzstl.org.
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager is flying into Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday for crab cakes and jazz. First stop is breaking bread with friends and enjoying the company and camaraderie. The following night I will be in the audience at the Keystone Korner Baltimore to hear the Bill Charlap Trio. It’s been a few years since I’ve heard the trio with Bill on piano, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums.
But there’s so much more to the city so during the day this Jazz Voyager will be moving about the city investigating the Top Of The World Observation Deck, the Lexington Market, National Aquarium and the American Visionary Art Museum.
The trio will be in residence for two nights ~ October 21 & 22, two sets each evening at 7:30 and 10:00 pm, with a Sunday, October 23rd late afternoon show at 5:00pm. Tickets range $35.00 ~ $45.00 plus fee.
The Keystone Korner Baltimore address is 1350 Lancaster Street, 21231. For more information, the number is 410-946-6726 or keystonekornerbaltimore.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Masked up and on the wing to that city by the bay is the next stop for this Jazz Voyager to take in an evening at the Comstock Saloon situated at the crossroads of North Beach, Chinatown, Financial District and Jackson Square. I’ve been hearing about Gaucho Jazz, and having sparked my curiosity, decided to satisfy or see if it will kill this cat. So it’s off to hear them live and experience a performance for myself.
Of course while I’m in this city I’ll ride another trolley, make my way down the crooked street, roll across the bridge to Berkeley, go hang in the Tenderloin, Haight~Ashbury and Nob Hill and just enjoy the sights and sounds. I’ve also heard about this Dynamo Spiced Chocolate Donut that the saloon serves up with vanilla ice cream and during the night I’m going to see what this dessert hoopla is all about.
Showtime is 8:00pm ~ 11:00pm and there is no mention of a cover or reservations required. I guess I’ll be dropping in a little before showtime. The address of the Comstock Saloon is 155 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, California 94133. For more information, the number is 415-617-0071 or comstocksaloon.com.
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The Jazz Voyager
Back to the Big Apple for this Jazz Voyager to finally hear the luscious voice of Denise King at Minton’s Playhouse 206 West 118th Street, Harlem, New York. This was one of my hangouts in the Seventies when I needed to get away from the R&B and just chill with an appreciative crowd. Harlem was home once I crossed 110th and Lenox. And like everywhere I go, I will be wearing my N95!
To that point, I will be flying in a day ahead and once again come to Harlem to experience vocalist Denise King on October 7th. She has two sets, the former beginning at 7:00pm, the latter set at 9:30, of which I will be attending. Doors open an hour before showtime. The cover is $25.00 with a $20.00 minimum per guest. For additional information, the number is 212-866-1262 or mintonsharlem.com.
This vocalist overflows with energy, enjoying herself as she swings and interprets. She places the listener at the scene to experience every nuance that each character in the song portrays, be it one or many. She lives within each song and brings you along for the ride, be it gospel, r&b, soul, jazz or the Great American Songbook.
And of course this is the city that never sleeps, so I will carouse through the late night haunts of Harlem, Broadway Uptown or head downtown to The Village or may even go across the bridge to Brooklyn while I’m there through the weekend. But Miss King is my priority on this sojourn!
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The Jazz Voyager
The Jazz Voyager had a blast at Cliff Bell’s last week hanging out with friends but it’s time to head South to Texas and see what’s happening at the Parker Jazz Club at 117 W 4th Street, #10, Austin 78701. I’m looking forward to what promises to be an evening of jazz classics and the Great American Songbook performed by the Ryan Davis Trio with drummer Jeremy Bruch and bassist Ben Triesch.
I’ll be masking throughout the day starting with catching an early flight into the state capital and home of those famous City Limits and I’ll be Ubering or Lyfting to do some sightseeing. My first stop being the Moody Theater where the longest running music television show is taped, then off to the Bullock Museum for a history lesson of the state, the George Washington Carver Museum, LBJ Presidential Library, a visit to the Downs~Mabson Field which was the former home of the Austin Black Senators of the Texas Negro League during the early 20th century. Don’t know if I’ll get it all done in one day because I’m grabbing some dinner before showtime. My last stop of the first day is the Congress Bridge at sunset to see the 1.5 million bats take wing.
Then it’s off to the hotel to shower and change and get ready for a great night of jazz. The doors are at 7:00pm, the one performance runs from 7:30pm ~ 9:00pm, the cover is $15~$25. Early evening for this nightowl, so I’ll be adventuring into the city for more music. For additional information, the number is 512-394-6003 or parkerjazzclub.com.
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